"We are still open" say Bracknell's Royal British Legion leaders

Bracknell Royal British Legion volunteers want people to know the building is still open, after rumours spread it had closed

‘WE ARE still open’ is the message from Royal British Legion (RBL) leaders who fear rumours have spread claiming the Bracknell branch has shut down.

Organisers are putting to bed gossip that the town centre clubhouse in Stanley Walk has closed and say the building is still in full operation with four volunteer trustees managing it on behalf of the national war veteran charity.

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) issued to the club by Bracknell Forest Council was in force for nine years before it was lifted in 2012.

Susan Marshall-Halls, one of the trustees who helps fundraise and organise events, said: “The building has never been closed.

“The trustees have control of the building and we are refurbishing it to make it a community centre.

“We have now got a premises licence to reopen the bar but there is quite a bit of work to be done before we let the public in.”

The bar is expected to be open in a few months and the trustees welcome new members who will be able to use the club on a daily basis.

Mrs Marshall-Halls said: “There is a lot of work to be done. It’s more than just a lick of paint, it is going to be from the roof down.

“Because the bar is closed people think the building is empty and it is not.

“Two weeks ago we came in and there was broken glass all over the floor where people had thrown stones through the windows.

“But the volunteer trustees are always in here, as are people from the church.”

The space is also rented by Mosaic Anglican church which holds a weekly Sunday service and the congregation have given back to the Legion by organising refreshments for guests at the annual Remembrance parade hosted by the RBL.

Last year the members of the Legion marked Armed Forces Week with two ceremonies, the Sunday Remembrance Parade which drew hundreds of people, and a further event on Armistice Day, which saw more people than ever gathered at the centre.

Mrs Marshall-Halls added: “We would welcome more members of the community to join us to make the Legion building a great community space.

“We are open for an hour on Sunday mornings at the minute for people to come and ask questions or renew their membership but we would like to see some new faces too.”